knives of ice wrote:the only common theme in the playoff failures that past few seasons every time Bylsma was outcoached by a monsterous grand canyon like margin. has no plan B. does the same **** over and over again

Don't disagree to a point but I still believe depleting the roster of real actual solid and fast role players and defense hurt. I don't have anything against those who say HCDB was out coached, I agree.

But our top end talent has masked huge holes in our lineup.

where the **** are the holes?

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis

Morrow/Bennett - Malkin - Neal/Iginla

Morrow/Bennett/Cooke - Sutter - Kennedy/Iginla

Vitale/Jokinen - Adams - Kennedy

Martin - LetangOrpik - NiskanenMurray - Bort/Engo/Despres

Vokoun**** head Fluery

No holes. Except Niskanen blows.

Ummm, well 3 dmen who can't play defense, 2 who are decent at best, one who is a slow tree. No real speed threat on bottom 3 lines and no players on top 2 who crash net. No players on 3/4th lines who cycle and create.

The roster is full of holes masked by fans who can't see regular season stats mean squat. Our top end talent masks issues in reg season with superior stats. Coaching alone doesn't get you out classed 4 years in a row. Sorry.

I'd put Bennett with Crosby and Kunitz next season. Geno already has an elite winger he doesn't need a monopoly on the wing talent. Bennett will also give the top line some defensive presence. They can find a decent 3m wing for Malkin. I'd keep Letang if we can get him for,about 5.5 a year. I expect good growth from Despres. Martin is the best all around defender so he stays. I think Harrington will crack the lineup in the bottom pairing and will provide some steady play in his own zone. Before the playoffs I wanted to use the compliance buyout on Orpik but it has to be Flower now.

Are we the only elite team that has to trade for veteran leadership every deadline? This is a legitimate question.

We are arrogant as a team and coaching staff. It is commented on by many including the unbiased.

The formula against us in the playoffs is just don't lose the game before the Penguins beat themselves.

Post game comments scare me. Players are being classy and professional but it still seems to me they think they just need to capitalize on chances and not run into a hot goalie. I mean I know it's the post game pressed and not to be taken on each word but I get the feeling they don't realize why they don't capitalize.

Sarcastic wrote:It's a good thing we have Vokoun for next season. Whoever said it during the game that we should stick with him and some kid rookie... hmm, anyone ready for that in WBS?

We don't want to go with Hartzell or Thiessen as the backup. That's a recipe for Vokoun playing 65-70 games and having nothing left for the playoffs. What about Emery, perhaps, for $2 million? Or someone of that ilk. Unless someone in WBS is playing so well that his play demands a call-up.

SoCalPenguin wrote:I'd put Bennett with Crosby and Kunitz next season. Geno already has an elite winger he doesn't need a monopoly on the wing talent. Bennett will also give the top line some defensive presence. They can find a decent 3m wing for Malkin. I'd keep Letang if we can get him for,about 5.5 a year. I expect good growth from Despres. Martin is the best all around defender so he stays. I think Harrington will crack the lineup in the bottom pairing and will provide some steady play in his own zone. Before the playoffs I wanted to use the compliance buyout on Orpik but it has to be Flower now.

Not sure Pens can afford those buyouts. A lot of money especially with Sid already being paid over his cap value.